Haven't fired a round in this one yet but wonder if there's any preference for primers? Cases will be RWS once-fired, rifle's a Ruger #1, bullets are not at all certain but probably either one of the 286 RN's from Norma or Woodleigh or the 250 Nosler BT.

Thanks. -WSJ

Most manuals suggest standard large rifle primers - not magnums. I use Federal 210 match primers and seem to get very uniform velocities and excellent accuracy. I did not find loads I liked trying Fed 215 (magnum) primers.

Luck,
Emory

Maybe I'll re-post this over in the reloading forum and see if I get any suggestions. I know some have opined in the past that some brnads of casses seem to like some primers better than others, but this is the first time I've used Lapua brass. Thanks. -WSJ

wsj, why not use what the reloading manual recommends? I have never heard anyone say that certain brands of brass seem to like some primers better than others, but I guess there is always a first time. I always thought that the primer type was based on size and design of the case and perhaps, powder used.
Peter.

WSJ The 9.3x74 case does not have a huge capacity so magnum primers should not be required. However since the case is quite long a primer with a long burn time would probably be desireable. I would suggest you consider the Win LR primers.

well I never said it was gospel!Let's say I'm loading for a 308 Win. and I've got Federal brass. Is it reasonable to expect that a Federal 210 primer fits the case better than a CCI? Maybe. All other things being equal (appropriate powder, primer, etc. for cartridege and bullter, etc.) then why not start by matching primer and case by manufacturer?

Which is why with the 9.3x74R and Lapua cases I phrased my question that way. I've got all the US brand large rifle primers on hand, and 16 manuals of various sorts on hand (I just counted), so I understand that large rifle primer's are most likely the way to go with this cartridge.

What I was hoping for was opinions on primers, good or bad, from folks with experience loading this one. I hope that clarifies things. Thanks. -WSJ

I use RWS cases and have tried several different primers with my loads. Different cases and different loads often do better, some times MUCH better, with different primers. Depends on the balance all the componernts have with each other, and the rifle(s) in which they are shot.

It is like every thing else in riflery. No one else can answer (except by pure luck) with what YOUR rifle will prefer.

Your question is a good one though in that it does elicit vicarious experiences of others for your memory storage and general info build-up. A person can't experience everything himself, so a little vicarious experience is always a good place to start. But it is only a start.

My experience with my RWS cases is that the rather inexpensive CCI #34 mil-spec LR primers seem to work fine, at least as well as anything else.

I have also used W-W 120, WLR (newer version of the 120), F-210, F-210-M (match, not magnum), F-215 (that's the Federal magnum), and perhaps some other makes, in that brass.

Overall I prefer the CCI #34s for my 9.3x74-R loading because they have stronger cups and I use the cartridges in a double rifle where firing pin hang-up can be a hazard.

I would recommend to you that you avoid the Federals, as they have the thinnest (weakest) cups. I'd just start with the Winchester WLR or the CCI #34, whichever is most available to you. If they work well for you, you don't have to look for others that might produce more accurate loads. The 9.3x74-R is not a long-range hunting rifle or any-range target rifle.

Good luck with whatever you try.

AC: Ahhh, thanks, that's what I was looking for - a rational starting point based in experience.

Primers are cheap, powder's reasonable, bullets are dear and time's too short for everything . . . I shall start with the WLR's! Thanks. -WSJ

I use Norma cases, WLR primers and RL 15. Excellent results. All bullets cut each other in a nice tight group. Here's a group with 286 gr Partitions.

I find the primer pockets on RWS a bit tight, so RPLR or RPLRmag seem to fit just a tiny bit easier.

RL-15 is one of my short list powders, in part because every bullet maker's maunual list it and in part because I have had excellent results with it in other cartridges and always have some availalble. Thanks. -WSJ

wsj,

Much good advice above.

I've used pretty much every primer I had on hand in the 9.3x74R and never noted a difference in accuracy when using one or the other; usually, CCI, WLR, Federal, Norma Super Flash or the really expensive RWS #XXXX (can't remember off the top of my head what RWS's recommended primer # for this cartridge). Currently, I've got a stash of CCI's and WLR's and the Winchester WLR are what I'm loading.

I've never gotten seriously into load development with this cartridge because the inital test loads of 64.0 grs. of H-4350 w/250 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips resulted in groups just like 450/400's target photo above out the Drilling in which I have to adjust the 5.6x50R insert barrel to POI as well. Since they were both shooting exactly where I wanted them to be - left well enough alone.

Stash of Nosler BT's is pretty much exhausted and I found them to be an excellent bullet in this cartridge - gonna miss them for sure.

The 286 gr. Hornady's are showing promise as a replacement; haven't got around to trying the 250 gr. Nosler Accubonds yet.

And, yes, almost everyone Poo-Poo's the Speer 270 gr. SP's but IME they work just (tried them in both the 9.3x74R & 9.3x62) fine. Suprisingly they don't bounce off .....

Happily, I've a good supply of brass on hand; Norma, RWS & Geco - using the Geco's right now and find they hold up real well.

Good Luck with your 9.3x74R.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
wsj,

...almost everyone Poo-Poo's the Speer 270 gr. SP's but IME they work just (tried them in both the 9.3x74R & 9.3x62) fine. Suprisingly they don't bounce off .....

Yeh, lots of folks seem to think they need to Dis' the older cup 'n core Norma 286s too, but I've been using them for about 40 years now and they work just fine for me in both the x74 and the x62 cases.

I've still got a life-time supply (several thousand) of both the plastic tipped and lead tipped variations so guess I'll just have to keep on keepin' on with them. As I only paid $2 per box for them (that's $.04 each) I don't feel too disadvantaged.

Even though I also have several hundred of the new monometal Barnes super-whoopers on hand, I may NEVER get around to trying them in the field...haven't felt any practical need to yet.

I've loaded a couple thousand 9.3x74R's. Over the years, i've used many different primers, useing CCI 200's more than any other... I've never had any issues with any primer i've ever used in this cartridge to this date.

I'm useing Rem. 9-1/2's right now...

DM

quote:

haven't felt any practical need to yet.

A-C,



I guess I ought to qualify this; Yes, I'm all for the best componemts, good case prep, weighed charges; attention to detail, yeah, I've even been known to attempt more & better performance in most of my reloading endevours. Net, I jump through all the hoops .....

The x74R & x62 do their best work where they were conceptualized - right around 2300 fps with 250-286 gr. bullets and regular 'ole vanilla-flavored cup 'n core bullets still do very well in both of these cartridges.

I just loaded six rounds for the new Chapuis double. 56gr of 4064 and Partitions, and cci 250 primers. From the A-Square manual. 1" four shot group off the bench at 50 yards.
If it ever stops raining long enough, I need to chrono them and get the scope zeroed at 200yds.

Rich
I really, really like this cartridge.

Thanks all for the input. Based on it I'll start with WLR primers and go from there. And I think I'll begin with either the Speer 270 or Hornady 286, both of which are fairly reasonable ($19.49 & $21.09, respectively, at MidwayUSA).

Thanks again. -WSJ